If you’ve ever visited a dentist—and even if you haven’t—you’ve probably heard that you need to floss your teeth every day. While this is true, do you ever wonder why flossing is so important? Similarly, do you ever wonder if there’s something you could do to be flossing better?
You see, flossing cleans your gum line. In reality, there is not better—or safer—method available or cleaning your gum line. Sadly, if your gum line isn’t cleaned adequately, your gums may become inflamed and you may have to cope with gum disease, erosion of your gum line, damage to your jaw bone, and even tooth loss. However, that isn’t all you could have to worry about. In fact, if you have gum disease, you may experience serious health issues such as heart disease, respiratory problems, dementia, or even cancer.
Fortunately, proper flossing isn’t complicated. However, there may be a few things you can improve on. For instance, did you know that you should use about 18 inches of floss? This allows you to have a clean piece of floss to use between every tooth. Similarly, had you heard that you should scrape gently under the gum line to remove plaque and food debris that could lead to health issues?
Finally, please remember to be gently with your teeth. Brushing and flossing too hard can actually damage your gums and lead to a different set of complications.
If you have any question or concerns about the kind of floss you should use or would like to review your technique, please don’t hesitate to contact North Texas Dental Associates at 972.535.6647. Dr. James Hillstrom and out team will be happy to answer any questions you have. We’re excited to meet you!